Coming off his MVP/Championship run at the highly competitive EuroBasket, Andrei Kirilenko reminded himself of the fun and success he has when playing the game his way. AK47’s accomplishments further fueled his demand for a trade that is now reaching elephant-in-the-room proportions. His Utah Jazz simply cannot afford a malcontent star lingering in the locker room as they make a run at their first championship. He has gone as far as to say that he would rather play in Europe than in Utah, but he is still due over $63 million these next four years. Jazz GM Kevin O’Connor has said that he fully expects Kirilenko to be present at the start of training camp on October 1st.
Don’t count on it. AK47’s primary grievance with the Jazz is head coach Jerry Sloan. This is the same Jerry Sloan entering his 20th consecutive season with the Jazz, far longer than any other coach in the league. It appears unlikely that Sloan will change his style for the richly paid Russian. Kirilenko has compared playing for the veteran coach as playing like a “robot” lacking passion and freedom.
The Jazz are coming off a season where they were a series away from a likely NBA Championship. Entering training camp they have a gaping hole at shooting guard. Veteran Gordan Giricek is the front runner for the starter’s job over second year man Ronnie Brewer and rookie Morris Almond. In any possible trade of Kirilenko, the Jazz would likely need to land a proven backcourt running mate for Deron Williams.
With Matt Harpring, Sloan has a solid NBA veteran capable of starting at the small forward position. He has done so nearly 350 times in his nine year career. However, he is not a 35 minutes per game player. Starting Harpring will make for a perfect situation to allow Brewer and Almond to play the meaningful minutes they need in order to prove themselves.
Does Anybody Want Him?
Kirilenko’s consistent blogging and public outcries have lessened his trade value more so than his uncharacteristic down season. Not many owners would be anxious to employ someone who appears so volatile. However, the Minnesota Timberwolves have the right pieces and needs to make a Kirilenko trade happen.
Loaded with a stockpile of youth as a result of the Kevin Garnett trade and some recent lottery picks, Minnesota is clearly rebuilding.
More than any other position, the T-Wolves are burdened by an exceptional amount of wing players. Despite being the team’s most proven offensive talent, Ricky Davis may be the odd man out in terms of a Kirilenko trade. SG Rashad McCants is entering the season fully healthy for the first time. Rookie swingman Corey Brewer says he is ready to contribute in year one. Many expect 21 year-old Gerald Green to improve upon last season’s 10.4 ppg campaign. Finally, veterans Marko Jaric and Trenton Hassell will be 29 and 28, respectively, by the season opener. Neither would be nearly as coveted by Utah as Davis.
This Trade Should Happen
Minnesota receives: Andrei Kirilenko
Utah receives: Ricky Davis and Marko Jaric
Utah Analysis
Ricky Davis has averaged a very steady 17.5 points over the past five years and enters this season playing for his next contract. He is precisely the type of slasher/shooter that the Jazz are desperately lacking. Last year he shot nearly 40% from three and over 80% on his free throws.
The initial question is “Can Ricky Davis play for Jerry Sloan?” I have to think so. Davis has matured immensely since his days playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers. At 28, he can embrace his role on a championship caliber team and gives Sloan a superior option at shooting guard to the Derek Fisher/Giricek combination he employed last year. Alas, if it does not work out, he is a free agent at season’s end.
Jaric is more than a throw-in as he would provide needed depth at the guard position. Utah did sign Jason Hart and Ronnie Price in the off-season to back-up Williams, but are either one of these guys ready to do so? And what if Deron goes down? Neither of these two are capable starters. Jaric has 165 NBA starts under his belt. Since arriving in Minnesota, the 6’7” Yugoslavian native has played far less at the point than he did during his best seasons with the Clippers. A return to that role in a defined rotation should increase his efficiency.
Minnesota Analysis
Bringing in a defensive stalwart like Kirilenko would greatly boost the legitimacy of this team. Furthermore, the young squad will likely be the free-flowing, gunning team that Kirilenko apparently is looking for. In Minnesota, he could not be further from the style used by Sloan and the Jazz.
Kirilenko would get to play his natural power forward position and Al Jefferson will shift into the center spot forcing the mediocre Mark Blount into a backup role. Jefferson can play the center piece. Almost a third of his NBA starts have come at that position.
Ricky Davis is arguably their best player, but he stands to hinder the development of their youth. Moving him and Jaric would allow their impressive collection of backcourt youth to show their true colors and develop as fast as possible.
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Another ingredient that makes this trade intriguing is that the teams both play in the Northwest Division. This year their four games come in a short stretch from February 26th to April 2nd – exactly when the Jazz will be jockeying for playoff position.
Photos Courtesy of athlonsports.com and citypages.com, respectively